I'm the CEO of TiqIQ.com, which is the leading ticket search engine online. I started my professional career as a writer covering New York technology in 1996. I've been fascinated by the ticket market from a young age and remember trying to understand what drove the market in front of Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden. After working in eCommerce for much of my career, I decided to start a company dedicated to tracking those prices with the benefit of technology and helping consumers get the best possible deals.

United Center Leads Dual Sport Venues With Highest Average Price for NBA and NHL Playoff Tickets

As the NHL and NBA playoffs are getting ready to start, arenas all over North America will be preparing to host the extra games. While these venues will enjoy the extra revenue from postseason games, three venues will be cashing in with two separate teams participating in the playoffs.

Both the Bulls and Blackhawks will look to raise another championship banner to the rafters at United Center in Chicago. While Bulls playoff tickets are down for the fourth straight season, averaging $214.44 on the secondary market, Blackhawks playoff tickets are among the most expensive in the NHL. Tickets on the secondary market for the Blackhawks first round against the St. Louis Blues have an average price of $364.67, 70% more expensive than Bulls tickets. Combined, the two United Center residents have an average ticket price of $289.56 for the first round.

With the Lakers missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season, the doors at Staples Center will exclusively swing open for Clippers fans this postseason in the NBA. Clippers playoff tickets have an average price of $229.75, higher than last year’s average, but lower than the average price of Lakers playoff tickets last season. They’ll still share the arena with the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fifth straight season. Kings playoff tickets have an average price of $185.93 for their first round match-up against the San Jose Sharks. The total average ticket price for both Los Angeles teams comes to $207.84.

Perhaps the most surprising venue is the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Mavericks and Stars haven’t been in the postseason during the same season since 2007-08. Secondary market prices for both teams are on the low end of their respective leagues. Mavericks tickets have an average price of $198.84, 156% above their regular season average. Meanwhile when the Stars battle the Anaheim Ducks, Stars tickets for home games have an average price of just $145.14, the second lowest average in the NHL. Both teams combine for an average first round ticket price of $171.99, the lowest of the three two-team venues.

If any of these venues were to host dual champions, it would be the first. A few venues have hosted two separate teams in the Finals. 2003 was the most recent year to come close with the IZOD Center in New Jersey. That season, the New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup, while the then-New Jersey Nets lost in the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.

In addition to being a great ride for city, venues who host two playoff runs stand to profit in a big way. A few venues just missed the cut this season, most notably Madison Square Garden. With the Knicks missing out on the playoffs, MSG doesn’t have two teams in the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10 when it had zero playoff teams. The New York Rangers, however, make up for some of the difference by having the most expensive first round prices in the NHL against the Philadelphia Flyers. Rangers playoff tickets have an average price of $392.61. Had the Knicks snuck into the playoffs this season, The Garden would easily have the highest combined playoff price from its two teams.

Of the three venues with two teams playing, none sport two favorites to advance out of the first round. At least one team in each venue is the lower seed for its first-round matchup. While these venues are relishing in the revenue of additional games, it might not last too long.

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